The tree is exceptionally hardy (down to at least -45°C), has a relatively short vegetation period compared to other walnuts, grows rapidly and is cultivated as an ornamental in colder temperate regions all over the Northern Hemisphere. (For example, it has been found to grow satisfactorily in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada.[2]) The kernels of the nuts are edible, but small and difficult to extract. The timber is in use, but less valuable than that of English walnut or black walnut.

The Manchurian walnut contains and exudes much lesser quantities of allelopathic compounds (such as juglone) than other popular Juglans species[3] and usually doesn't cause significant allelopathic effects in cultivation.

Juglans cathayensis, characterized by tomentose leaflets, producing more flowers per spike and growing south of the Huang He, was sometimes recognized as a species separate from J. mandshurica.